Ry Herman's Blog, page 15

Fantasy Genres

I’ve seen a lot of debate recently about the precise delineations between fantasy subgenres, but in fact the definitions are all pretty clear and simple —

Urban Fantasy:  Fantasy set in a city
High Fantasy:  Fantasy set in the mountains
Low Fantasy:  Fantasy set in the Netherlands
Fantasy of Manners:  Fantasy set in manors
Epic Fantasy:  Fantasy in the form of a lengthy narrative poem
Fairy Tale Fantasy:  Fantasy about fairies with tails
Science Fantasy:  Science fiction but there’s an annoying pedant in the seat behind you saying that it’s fantasy because FTL travel isn’t real plus the Force, what about that
Sword and Sorcery:  The party must include a magic user, a cleric, a fighter, and a thief
Weird Fiction:  Like, the characters know they’re in a book and some of the text is upside down and stuff like that
Steampunk:  Everyone has cyberpunk-style cybernetic enhancements but get this, they’re CLOCKWORK
Dieselpunk:  Like Steampunk, but the cybernetic enhancements require diesel fuel
Mythpunk:  Like Steampunk, but the cybernetic enhancements have tiny gods in them
Grimdark:  When the superheroes change their costumes so that now they’re in dark colors, weird
Magic Realism:  Like when your aunt actually believes that if you put the knife under the crystal pyramid, it will totally get sharper
Paranormal Romance:  Fantasy with naughty bits
Young Adult Fantasy:  One of the above genres marketed to a group that will actually buy it

See? Easy.

Favorite Books – January 2021

My top pick of the month this time around was actually a reread; book 4 of the series just came out, so I’m going through the earlier books because there’s … a LOT to keep track of.

THE WAY OF KINGS (and sequels) by Brandon Sanderson

If you like your epic fantasy truly epic, while at the same time grounded in the personal journeys of memorable characters, this series of doorstopper novels is a real treat. The length can make each one feel like a bit of an undertaking, but I was never bored reading any of them – these are page turners. And that’s hard to pull off in a series with so many point-of-view characters; ALL of them need to be interesting for that to work. And they are.

Other books I enjoyed this month included THE HOLLOW PLACES by T. Kingfisher, THE ART OF SAVING THE WORLD by Corinne Duyvis, THE BURNING GOD by R. F. Kuang, THE RIVER BANK by Kij Johnson, and MONARCHS OF THE SEA by Danna Staaf.

Favorite Books – January

My top pick of the month this time around was actually a reread; book 4 of the series just came out, so I’m going through the earlier books because there’s … a LOT to keep track of.

THE WAY OF KINGS (and sequels) by Brandon Sanderson

If you like your epic fantasy truly epic, while at the same time grounded in the personal journeys of memorable characters, this series of doorstopper novels is a real treat. The length can make each one feel like a bit of an undertaking, but I was never bored reading any of them – these are page turners. And that’s hard to pull off in a series with so many point-of-view characters; ALL of them need to be interesting for that to work. And they are.

Other books I enjoyed this month included THE HOLLOW PLACES by T. Kingfisher, THE ART OF SAVING THE WORLD by Corinne Duyvis, THE BURNING GOD by R. F. Kuang, THE RIVER BANK by Kij Johnson, and MONARCHS OF THE SEA by Danna Staaf.

Well, This Is Nifty!

I’m pretty thrilled that my next book, Bleeding Hearts, is on the Scottish Book Trust’s list of novels they’re looking forward to in 2021! And in such good company, too.

https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-lists/the-scottish-novels-we-re-looking-forward-to-in-2021

A Song Of Rice And Fiber

Some like potatoes for their fiber;
Some favor rice.
What I’ve requested from the waiters
Shows I am one who favors taters.
But if I had to order twice,
When they bring me that second plate,
I’d say that for digestion, rice
Is also great
And will suffice.

The Ry Awards

And now it is time for THE 2020 RY AWARDS! An extremely nonprestigious annual award for the best books read each year by me.

Starting off with my favorite genre —

FANTASY

BEST EPIC FANTASY: The Unspoken Name, by A. K. Larkwood — it went in directions I didn’t expect and came together beautifully
BEST CYBERPUNK FANTASY: Shorefall, by Robert Jackson Bennett — I didn’t even know this genre was possible
BEST FABLE: Redemption In Indigo, by Karen Lord — a charming story, perfectly told
BEST FANTASY SHORT STORY COLLECTION: The Language Of Thorns, by Leigh Bardugo — fairy tales wonderfully reimagined and transfigured
BEST WARTIME FANTASY: The Healer’s War, by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough — a gripping and horrifying depiction of war
BEST FANTASY WESTERN: A Stitch In Crime, by Justin Robinson — the finest book he’s written yet, and I was already a fan

Following it up with my second favorite —

SCIENCE FICTION

BEST SPACE OPERA: Network Effect, by Martha Wells — I was a Martha Wells fan before she was super-popular; therefore, I am cool
BEST CLASSIC SF: The Man Who Fell To Earth, by Walter Tevis — by the end, it worms its way under your skin with insidious subtlety
BEST TIME TRAVEL SF: The Psychology Of Time Travel, by Kate Mascarenhas — a locked-room murder mystery, a love story, and a deep look at how time travel might seriously mess with your mind
BEST POST-APOCALYPTIC SF: Memory Of Water, by Emmi Itäranta — poetic, evocative, and thought-provoking

And of course, there was plenty of —

YA

BEST YA FANTASY SERIES: Unicorn Trilogy, Tanith Lee — an utter delight from beginning to end
BEST YA FANTASY BOOK: (tie) The Midnight Lie, by Marie Rutkoski, and Girl, Serpent, Thorn, by Melissa Bashardoust — two exquisitely written books
BEST YA SCIENCE FICTION: Catfishing On Catnet, by Naomi Kritzer — the story the book is based on is charming; the book is as well
BEST GODS: Deeplight, by Frances Hardinge — some of the best word-building in the genre from one of the best authors in the genre
BEST YA BOOK I LOVED IN SPITE OF ITSELF: A Deadly Education, by Naomi Novik — the setting makes no sense, but the story and voice is so good

This year, for some reason, I read an unusually large amount of —

HORROR

BEST HORROR SHORT STORIES: Things We Say In The Dark, by Kirsty Logan — unsettling tales from an always-excellent author
BEST SCIENCE FICTION HORROR: The Outside, by Ada Hoffman — a big yes to cosmic horror in an SF setting
BEST CLASSIC HORROR: Picnic At Hanging Rock, by Joan Lindsay — atmospheric and strange
BEST HORROR GRAPHIC NOVEL: Are You Listening?, by Tillie Walden — a great, wild road trip horror story
BEST UNDEAD: The Bones Houses, by Emily Lloyd-Jones — unexpected depth and great characters

Which leaves only the —

GRAB BAG

BEST BOOK WRITTEN BY RY: Love Bites, by Ry Herman — it is possible that I might be biased, but I honestly do like it
BEST MEMOIR: In The Dream House, by Carmen Maria Machado — beautifully written and powerful
BEST NONFICTION GRAPHIC NOVEL: Solutions And Other Problems, by Allie Brosh — Allie Brosh once again provides humor, insight, and the occasional emotional gut-punch
BEST HISTORICAL FICTION: (tie) The Rapture, by Claire McGlasson, and The Mercies, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave — books that made you feel like you were horribly, horribly there
BEST PLAY: Leopoldstadt, by Tom Stoppard — another fantastic hit from a playwright who seldom misses
BEST BAD BOOK: Atlanta Nights, by Travis Tea — awful in the best way
BEST WESTERN: Whiskey When We’re Dry, by John Larison — lyrical language, strong themes, and an awareness that not everyone in history was male, white, or straight
BEST CONTEMPORARY FICTION: Cottonmouths, by Kelly J. Ford — anyone who’s ever been in a really bad relationship will have shuddering moments of recognition
BEST LITERARY FICTION: Art & Lies, by Jeanette Winterson — nearly every single sentence of this book is amazing

Favorite Books — December 2020

Happy New Year! Getting this one out of the way on the early side so that I can do the final tabulations for the extremely nonprestigious Ry Awards (the best books read this year by Ry.)

December had two definite highlights:

THE LANGUAGE OF THORNS by Leigh Bardugo

Of all the Leigh Bardugo books I’ve read — and I’ve read and enjoyed a fair number — this book of short stories is my favorite so far. Fairy tales cleverly, elegantly, and beautifully reimagined and transfigured.

MEMORY OF WATER by Emmi Itäranta

When Noria Kaitio reaches her seventeenth birthday, she is entrusted with the secret of a freshwater spring hidden deep within the caves near her small rural village. Its preservation has been the responsibility of her family for generations. When Noria takes possession of the knowledge, she become much more than the guardian of ancestral treasure; soon, she will hold the fate of everyone she loves in her hands.

All I can say about this one is Wow. It was stunning. Poetic, evocative, and thought-provoking. And also depressing.

Other excellent books I read in December included: THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by TJ Klune, THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V. E. Schwab, STRANGE PLANET by Nathan W. Pyle, ORANGE WORLD by Karen Russell, THE THIEF ON THE WINGED HORSE by Kate Mascarenhas, SPIRA MIRABILIS by Aidan Harte, THE CAMELOT BETRAYAL by Kiersten White, STEPSISTER by Jennifer Donnelly, OTHER STORIES AND OTHER STORIES by Ali Smith, METROPOLE by Ferenc Karinthy, and WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens.

Favorite Books — December

Happy New Year! Getting this one out of the way on the early side so that I can do the final tabulations for the extremely nonprestigious Ry Awards (the best books read this year by Ry.)

December had two definite highlights:

THE LANGUAGE OF THORNS by Leigh Bardugo

Of all the Leigh Bardugo books I’ve read — and I’ve read and enjoyed a fair number — this book of short stories is my favorite so far. Fairy tales cleverly, elegantly, and beautifully reimagined and transfigured.

MEMORY OF WATER by Emmi Itäranta

When Noria Kaitio reaches her seventeenth birthday, she is entrusted with the secret of a freshwater spring hidden deep within the caves near her small rural village. Its preservation has been the responsibility of her family for generations. When Noria takes possession of the knowledge, she become much more than the guardian of ancestral treasure; soon, she will hold the fate of everyone she loves in her hands.

All I can say about this one is Wow. It was stunning. Poetic, evocative, and thought-provoking. And also depressing.

Other excellent books I read in December included: THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by TJ Klune, THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V. E. Schwab, STRANGE PLANET by Nathan W. Pyle, ORANGE WORLD by Karen Russell, THE THIEF ON THE WINGED HORSE by Kate Mascarenhas, SPIRA MIRABILIS by Aidan Harte, THE CAMELOT BETRAYAL by Kiersten White, STEPSISTER by Jennifer Donnelly, OTHER STORIES AND OTHER STORIES by Ali Smith, METROPOLE by Ferenc Karinthy, and WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens.

Taking Stock

There were several months this year that just sort of … vanished for me, in terms of productive writing. Call it anxiety over world events, or low-grade depression, or simply being blocked, but whatever the reason, there were periods when writing wasn’t happening. I’m finding it useful, though, to look back and take stock of what I *did* accomplish, because in spite of everything, it’s honestly been a remarkable year for me:

MY DEBUT NOVEL WAS PUBLISHED!!!

I finished the final draft and edits for a sequel that will be published next year.

I completed a 40,000 word rough draft of a novella, which may or may not ever be revised into something workable. But at the very least, it was worth it for taking my writing in some new directions, which lead directly to the next one …

I’ve just today reached the 30,000 word mark for a new novel I’m very excited about.

So, I have a lot to be happy about. I really do.

Word Count

I wanted to have 30,000 words of my current work-in-progress done by the time I take some time off in late December, and I’m currently at 27,500.

So, looking like I’m on track with that.